General principles of seed storage

• Seed storage condition should be dry and cool
• Pest should be controlled effectively
• The store should be sanitized properly
• Seed should be dried to safe moisture content before storage
• High-quality seeds should be only stored without admixture during storage
• The length of storage time and prevailing climate should be determined or cared for.

Factors Affecting Seed Longevity

a) Genetic factor

• Genes influence seed storage life.
• The different types of germplasm or variety are specific for storability.
• Some kinds of crop species or varieties are naturally short-lived and have very little shelf-life (eg., onion, soybean, groundnut) while some can be stored for a medium period (cotton, wheat) and some are long-lived and can be stored for a longer period (rice, beans).

b) Initial Seed quality

• Healthy and undamaged seeds with high germinability can be stored for a long period while damaged due to weather or mechanical injury cannot be stored for a long time.

c) Moisture content of seed

• It is the most important factor affecting seed viability during storage over most of the moisture range.
• The rate of deterioration of longevity increases as the seed moisture content increases.